When choosing a tattoo design, it pays to do a little research so that you are aware of the origin of the design. You might unknowingly have chosen a design that doesn't symbolize exactly what you thought it did. A butterfly or Harley-Davidson design are likely safe, but there are designs that don't exactly symbolize goodness.

There are certain tattoo designs that have historically been used by prison inmates and/or gang members. If the design you've chosen resembles a prison or gang tattoo in any way, it could mean trouble. A teardrop under one eye, a spider web on an elbow, and three dots that form a triangle are all designs that have been used by gangs and prison inmates. This is not to say that everyone who has one of these tattoos belongs to a gang or has done prison time, but these are a few designs that should be avoided if you don't want anyone making a judgment about you.

Law enforcement officers in many jurisdictions have also been trained to watch for gang-related tattoos. Again, this doesn't mean that if you have a gang-related design, the police will surely stop you. People have tattoos because they want to make a statement, so they generally stand out in a crowd anyway. But, if you don't want to be a target in any way, it's probably best to avoid a design that will draw unwanted or undesirable attention.

Choosing a tattoo design or crafting your own design takes time, and it should. It pays to include a little research during the process to ensure that the attention you receive from your tattoo is only that which you expect. You'll have your chosen work of art for a long time to come, so choose the design wisely.